Sponsors (18)
The bill secures dedicated, predictable access to surplus DoD aircraft for wildfire suppression through 2035 and reduces misuse, but it limits local responders' flexibility to repurpose aircraft for other emergencies and may delay other disposals or sales revenue.
State and local wildfire agencies (and firefighters/EMS) will have predictable access to surplus Department of Defense aircraft for wildfire suppression through 2035 because the transfer authority is reauthorized.
State and local wildfire agencies and firefighters must use purchased aircraft only for aircraft wildfire‑suppression services, reducing misuse risk and helping keep specialized aircraft available for active fire response.
State and local agencies and first responders will be unable to repurpose purchased aircraft for other emergency needs (e.g., search‑and‑rescue or law enforcement), reducing local operational flexibility.
The Department of Defense and taxpayers could face reduced availability of some surplus aircraft for other disposition or sale processes, potentially delaying alternative disposals or sales revenue.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Limits sales/transfers of military aircraft/equipment so they may be used only to provide aircraft services for wildfire suppression and reauthorizes the authority through Oct 1, 2035.
Amends the federal law that allows the sale or transfer of military aircraft and related equipment so that any equipment sold under that authority may be used only to provide aircraft services for wildfire suppression. It also updates an internal statutory reference and reauthorizes the transfer authority to be exercised from October 1, 2025, through October 1, 2035. The bill makes no new appropriations and otherwise makes only minor wording changes.
Introduced February 4, 2025 by Daniel Milton Newhouse · Last progress February 4, 2025